I do eny, meeny, miny, moe and chose direction where KB will move to capture allied BB. Other directions going to be cover by SC TFs and LBAs from Marshals and Tabiteuea I hope i will have luck this time. I fell like this is something i need to build my morale for next months of game.

PS. It is starting doing interesting In Burma. Docup start to reckon all bases there. Probably air offensive will start soon. I am building planes reserve. Mostly Tojos as those planes are now 70% of my air force there.

Marshals Allied BB are gone. I think Docup hide them in one of dot bases in Marshals. I will start to reckon them. Heavy CAP over Maloelap. I lost today 6 search planes over that base. It look like Docup is protecting that base with everything he have CAP and LCAP over base. BB maybe?? KB slowly is out of fuel. I am minimizing movements to be able to stay in area as long as possible. Now i need to be patience. Those BB are out of ammo so or he will protect them in Marshals or will try to move them east. We will wait. Maby we find something interesting

Truk CV Hiyo arrive today to base after repairs from Torpedo hit. With him arrive two new CLAA cruisers. They will join with KB asap.

Burma More movements in Burma I see units moving everywhere. In 4 week i will have Tank Div in Burma. Two Passable places to attack me. Akyab or Shwebo. I preparing in both places. 1800 will protect Akyab road. 2000 Central Burma.

1200 more AV will land in Burma in month. Total 5000AV will be enough for now i think. If needed i can have 450 fighters and 150 bombers in Burma in 3-4 days.

Japan CVL Ryuho arrive today. He will sail to Singer and will wait to other CVL. When they arrive they will replace two big CV in area.

I will have 4CVL TF in Singer as fast reaction force in DEI. KB will be build from 8 big CV with base in Truk. 3 CVE will stay in Japan to patrol north approach to home islands.

For your KB use a single patrol spot, and stay there, with search on max range plus recon at every base, and i;m sure you;ll find them.

Thanks. I am doing it right now. I take position out of his search range. It looks like he searching only in west, south-west direction.

I am almost sure that BBs are in Maloelap (everything is defending that base). He have CAP there and LCAP from Wotje. Base is reckoned 9/10 but all my search planes where shot down last turn so no search rapport from hex. I think BB TF is on sea. I debating with my self to send my 4 BB to that hex. But i will risk minefields.

Right now biggest problem is damage to my AF. I am blocked from offensive missions and most of eng unit is disabled after bombardments two days ago. 80 eng manage to repair only 1 runway damage last turn I am sending reinforcements from Truk but i will take few days.

I will wait few days. Flying LCAP and heavy CAP will fatigue pilots. So i will sweep. Right now my pilots also have bad morale but it is slowly building up. And and only in emergency i can also sweep with KB units.

Marshals Very quiet. I still thinking that BBs are in Maloelap. But direct attack on port is out of option. Loses to huge to accept with only small chance to kill them. Navy is returning home. Need to refuel and repair damage to ships.

China Nanyang offensive will start in 3 days 2000AV will march toward Sian trying to cut of Nanyang from north 2500AV will march toward Nanyang direcly. From air 150 figters and 200 bombers will support offensive

I split it from rest of fleet and tomorrow(only tomorrow because of fuel) i will have them near Maloelap. I have crease idea. Maybe sent them to bombard base. Maybe i will have luck and some shells will hit enemy BB or DD.

There is also danger to my ships. I think Maloelap is mined heavily. Lets assume there is 200 mines. Probably in multiple minefields. Minefield is marked on map.

Plan A Send DMS TF to hex to find rest of minefields. Few moment later BB TF will enter base and bombard it but i will send only BB without DD(to easy to sunk by mine). DMS will have also job to intercept TBoats in base hex.

Plan B Send DMS TF to hex to find rest of minefields. Few moment later DD TF will enter hex and intercept TB in hex later BB TF will enter base and bombard it but i will send only BB without DD(to easy to sunk by mine). DMS will have also job to intercept TBoats in base hex.

Plan C Send DMS TF to hex to find rest of minefields. Few moment later BB+DD TF will enter base and bombard it. DMS will have also job to intercept TBoats in base hex.

TBoats should not create bit danger because of moonlight 90%. But they can slow down TF or force them to resign from bombardment. I will give also air support from LBA to help in case of air strike but because of lack of TBombers in Marsjhals BB should be safe.

What do yo think. Anny advise will be pleased. What risk is from minefield to BB, do having minefield visible on map will help.

DEI 2 IDs on board of ships is Soerobaja. They sailing to Truk. They going to be part of Marshals invasions. Another ID is waiting to load on ships in Salumaki. Two Big CV giving support to that transport opeation they will sail together with cargo ships and in few days rejoin with KB. I will replace them in DEI with 4xCVL.

Small 1250tons TK lost north of Miri

Marshals During my fleet return to Truk i send my BB to bombard enemy ships in Maloelap port. BB refuse to sail that mission. I think it is because of fuel. They have only reserve to return half way to Truk. Replenishment TF send to meet them.

Marshals Finally after 13 days of waiting in shadows enemy BB from Maloelap decide to try to move to PH.Lower I give you map of current situation.

Docup decide to split them in two TFs. First slower with damaged second with other two BBs. On morning both TF find them self in bad situation only 5 hexes from KB KB planes launch to attack but probably because of bad whether only 20% of planes decide to fly. But result is promising. BB Tennessee sunk, if not he will. BB Pennsylvania eat another two TT(3 total). He is definitely out of action and my subs will hunt. Last BB Warspite is undamaged.

Now in nedd to decide do hunt BB Warspite or leave here alone and return Truk. I have almost no fuel. She will probably sail with full speed to hide under air cover from Johnston Island or will sail south. It all depend how many fuel she have. I am sure that she move with full speed at lest 26 hexes so probably fuel is low. Morning Air attack on TF, near Maloelap at 142,117

I say go for it if you can make it home or if you have other ships to come refuel the CVs on the return trip.

Orders given. I will hunt BB Warspite. If i do good math we both are on low fuel. But i will be able to sail for one maybe two days on full speed and still will be able to return to Marshals(i hope). I will not send AOs. That job will be given to BB TF. They will refuel in Truk today and sail toward Marshals to join with KB when they arrive and give all fuel to Carriers.

I chose semi aggressive tactic. I think he will sail toward Johnston to hide under air protection there. KB will take position in safe distance from island to avoid LBA attack but KB position will cover biggest area as passable.

Planes will only fly with 7 range(torpedoes). Bombs are useless against BB. 40% CAP rest of planes will be on escort.

Biggest danger to me. KB being intercepted by Warspite on naval battle or unescorted air raid intercepted by enemy CAP. We will see.

Docup decision to send BB TF to Marshals was very bad decision. He send 4 BB and 4 DD. None of them return In two weeks allies lost 4 BB, CL, and 5 DD. Japan lost 2 DD. Japanese subs damaged also two allied CV and another BB.

And that not over. Docup decide to close Roi-Namur. He send liberators fro Wake. But they come without escort.

Tracker is showing 14 Liberators shot down. No damage to AF. Burma I was not perfect day. Docup decide to sweep Rangoon. Firs almost 50 P-38 sweep. I hold groun but lots 8 planes for only 5 P-38 Few moment later almost 50 B-17 attack AF. AF open but i do not think i can hold more than 2-3 day. Half of planes need repair so only 60 fighters will fly tomorrow. One thin to notice B-17 are flying on extended range(half bomb load)

I am sending reinforcements from China and DEI (80 planes total).

In summary. It was good day. But i start worry about Burma. I think Docup will try some moves soon.

Docup will have to revert to a mainly land based campaign for a while with all the losses in CVs and BBs around Ambon and the Marshalls plus the damaged CVs... It would be wise to focus your attention and pour troops in Burma... Even without naval superiority the allies can turn it into a festering ulcer for the Japanese. You don' t want to be defending Thailand in early 43...

Docup will have to revert to a mainly land based campaign for a while with all the losses in CVs and BBs around Ambon and the Marshalls plus the damaged CVs... It would be wise to focus your attention and pour troops in Burma... Even without naval superiority the allies can turn it into a festering ulcer for the Japanese. You don' t want to be defending Thailand in early 43...

Yes. I am sending everything available to Burma right now. 8 div already in place. Two more resting and taking replacements in Java.(2-3 week until land in Burma).

1 Tank Div will land in Burma in 3-4 weeks currently waiting to sail to singer. He is still not combined. because one of tank regiment is in /singer already(need upgrade to combine with rest of unit)

Two more ID will land in Burma in 2 months after i recapture Wotje and Maoelap in Marshals. If needed i will cancel that operation and sail to Burma asap.

i think 13 divisions will be enough. Also i am re-basing more planes to Burma. In 5 days i will have 300+ planes.

That is a great day for you! The 4Es were a nice icing as well after getting all of the BBs.

Docup seems continually a bit careless with forces and you are definitely punishing him for it. It'll be interesting to see whether all of these losses will make him more cautious or have the opposite affect and make him even more reckless in an effort to get something back.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

congratulations to your results! Your opponent got a bloody nose at the Marshalls and his B17 are falling in crowds from the sky. Do you have any opinions on the Ki-45?

Thanks to all of your hints some days ago. I started a mining campaign all over my important bases. But as usual I have some questions. An ACM is maintaining an existing minefield but this ship type is not sweeping enemy mines in a base, right? The AMc is sweeping mines, but do I need to set them in a TF or are they also working disbanded in the port?

That is a great day for you! The 4Es were a nice icing as well after getting all of the BBs.

Docup seems continually a bit careless with forces and you are definitely punishing him for it. It'll be interesting to see whether all of these losses will make him more cautious or have the opposite affect and make him even more reckless in an effort to get something back.

I wish he will try payback fast. But i do not think he will. After last turns i think he will back to earlier tactic. No major operation. Small rides in places where he can hurt me without major risk to him. Pacific is now in my hands for next months i think. It is giving me time to build better.

Now his attention will be focused on Burma and China

quote:

ORIGINAL: sj80

Hey Koniu,

congratulations to your results! Your opponent got a bloody nose at the Marshalls and his B17 are falling in crowds from the sky. Do you have any opinions on the Ki-45?

Thanks to all of your hints some days ago. I started a mining campaign all over my important bases. But as usual I have some questions. An ACM is maintaining an existing minefield but this ship type is not sweeping enemy mines in a base, right? The AMc is sweeping mines, but do I need to set them in a TF or are they also working disbanded in the port?

Sebastian

ACM will only tend mines. To do that he need to be anchored in port. Also that port need to have fuel reserve. Tending mines require fuel. One AMC tend 150 mines. Number of mines and AMC in port is shown in port menu

AMc is minesweeper. To do that he need to be in Minesweeping TF. For minesweeping you can also use AM, DMS, YMS. Also ships like PB, SC or DD sweeping mines but they are not designed to that so risk of being hit by mine is bigger. Remember any ship can be minesweeper at lest once

First Ki-45 units will start flying in Burma in 3 days. So i not have opinion right now. But one is sure they are not good vs fighters but against bombers they are. Having guns and armor is most important to shoot down them

My tactic will look like that. Ki-45 flying 1-2kft higher than bombers. For me it will be 11-12k ft because Docup is flying with heavies on 10k). Ki-43 flying between 5-15k. They are not good bomber killers but flying on those attitude range they will force enemy fighters to dive on them. and will secure air agains low bomber rides. Ki-44 will fly 15-31k. They will try to kill enemy fighters. When ennmy figters will dive on Ki-43 Tojow will have chnce to dive on them and shot down. An later attack bombers.

From my experience i can say that layered CAP like that is giving best result. Right now i am able to have 1:1 kill ratio against enemy sweeps that way. It is good also to have layer no more that 3-5k of each other

At night BB TF bombard Wotje. AF is empty. Minor damage to base. It was planed as day bombardment but i must do something wrong. Good news Wotje is not mined. I have 5 DMS in that TF and they found nothing

Almost 300 LBA and KB fighters sweep Wotje and Maloelap. In Maloelap almost 80 enemy fighters but they not flying. Plan is to keep those bases damage with minimal cost to me. 4 ID 4 days from Truk. They will rest in base for week or two and i will start invasion.

Burma Burma air force rebuild. I must say last days air battle is won by japan. 40 planes lost but less than 15 pilots KIA and almost 20 4E bombers shot down and Docup now know that even when he use P-38 it will not be easy

China It looks like Chinese troops are in full retreat. They abandon Nanyang. I have capture it without fight today. Nanyang offensive is now Sian offensive. All units start preparing to Sian now.

From two days i am working to make cleaning in my pilots stock. I am checking all air groups - all even single one is not missed.

Army. Easy to do. Fighter groups are in perfect point. They training only two skill so it is easy.

Bombers pilots are also where they should be. From beginning of October only 1/3 of training bomber groups is training ground bombard. I have in reserve 300 pilots with that skill 70+. 2/3 of planes is focusing mostly on Navbomb and Lownav attack training. I have also two groups training ASW. Fronline units while not flying are set to train ASW and Nserch.

Navy Situation with figter pilots is ok.

Many to do with bomber groups. I have many pilots with TNAV skill in DB units. I need to replace them with pilots with only Naval skill.

Tracker is showing almost 100 pilots in wrong type of air group. Also KB pilots will have inspection. For next week pilots will changing groups to be sure hey are doing for what they are trained.

It will take many h of work but i think in end it will do good to pilot performance.

Mainly i want to avoid situation of having bomber pilots on patrol/reckon group or fighter pilots in bomber group. Most cleaning is needed to navy bombers. I hope i will do it in week maybe 10 days.

DEI Air battle over Saumlaki. 4 A6M3a fight against 18 F4F. All zeros lost for 2 F4Fs. Three Japanese pilots WIA. Last one is ok.

Marshals KB one day from Truk. Again we are out of fuel. Tankers will arrive in 4 days.

Sub attack DD from KB TF today. CVs where not spotted. But Docup is not stupid he know that it was KB.

First ID is unloading in Truk, tree more will arrive in 3 days. After i will prpere enugh ships i will land in Marshals.

China Sian offensive moving slowly. Docup retreat troops to rough/tree terrain. Heavy bomber raid ordered. I watching closely to south china. I hope Docup will not decide to start offensive there. I have enough troops there to stop him but he can give me big head pain by that.

Manchuria All sub units of 1 Tank Div have new command and i will transport them to Singer. They art loading on ships today.

R&D Probably telling that 10 time but for 100% Ki-44IIc Tojo will enter production on 1/43 Also i have now 500+ Ha-35 engines so Zero research will move faster. First D4Y1 30(0) R&D factory repaired.

Enemy CVs. Position unknown. Status of two damaged one unknown. They should be already repaired.

Japanese CV 6 in Truk or will anchor tomorrow. Akagi will sail to Japan for refit. 2 in DEI they will sail to Truk in week. 3 CVL in Truk. After refueling they will sail to DEI.

My troops moving toward Sian. Chinese troops in full retreat. They escaping west. I do not know if they are so week or Docup is pulling me in a trap.

I do not manage to fight single battle so far. When i ordering attack in this same turn he is moving out of hex.

That's bad news. You need to be disrupting his forces and keeping their morale low ... are you are to bomb them as they move?

I am bombing them all the time. But there is to many of them. Also I am sure that some of those units are disabled. I have one small battle with Chinese single ID few days ealier. His AV was "0"

Now i am for sure capture them as they running trough hex without road so i am much faster. Problem is that his troops are creating huge stacks of units. i have in front of me two big ones of 100-120k man. They prabably have around 2000AV each in terrain they are now it is 6000AV(adjusted). I can have against it two group of 2200Av each.

We will see.

Even if he run away he have many troops around Yenan. An i will cut of them from main forces

Lower you have map. Numbers represent units/soldiers for China and AV for Japanese. In circles units i wand to cut of and destroy (sorry for bad quality of map)